GDC 2025 Session Viewer
Thriving Players Summit: The Greenheart Way: Designing for Presence Without Intrusion
Lucas Johnson (Studio Director, Silverstring Media Inc.)
Pass Type: All Access Pass, Core Pass, Summits Pass, Expo Pass, Audio Pass, Indie Games Summit Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: Advocacy
Format: Lecture
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
Idle games, mobile games, freemium games, and games as a service all often draw on predatory game and UI designs meant to constantly engage the player — and their wallet. In a world where attention is one of the most valuable things we have, we must consider how to design casual, cozy, and idle games that are supportive of the player rather than demanding of them. This talk will draw on work the Silverstring Media team is exploring for how to create games that are more supportive: being fulfilling without being intrusive, being additive in a player's life rather than ultimately harmful or merely distracting, and designed to help the player thrive.
Takeaway
Audiences will gain a greater awareness of common predatory design practices, and come away with a number of possible strategies for designing games that are supportive of players' lives and work.
Intended Audience
This talk is for all audiences, designers and developers seeking to make better games for digital thriving.
